Musketeers Fall to USF in Tampa

Sunday, March 9

Tampa, Fla.

1 p.m.

Xavier University

0-5

South Florida

5-2

XAVIER

USF

03.09.25 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

Samantha Balara led the team with two goals.

By: Abbey Curtis, Xavier Athletic Communications

TAMPA, Fla. - The Xavier women's lacrosse team dropped a 20-4 contest to South Florida in the second game of the Musketeers' weekend.

Xavier is now 0-5 while the Bulls improve to a 5-2 start to the season.

how it happened

USF came out strong in the first period, scoring their first four goals just five minutes into the game.

Samantha Balara responded with her first goal of the afternoon in the opening period.

Julie Cassidy converted a free position shot later in the first quarter to tack on another goal for the Musketeers.

The Bulls scored two more to take a 7-2 lead after the first period.

Lola Mancuso won the draw control to open the second period, leading to a quick goal from Balara for her second of the game.

The Bulls went on another five-goal scoring streak to enter the break at a 12-3 advantage.

Mancuso scored the Musketeers' final goal on a free position attempt in the fourth period to extend her scoring streak to five games.

notables

Balara led the offense with two goals, a season-high for the redshirt sophomore.
Cassidy and Mancuso each recorded a goal and both have scored in all five games this season.
Colby Wasson recorded a team-high five ground balls and continues to lead the squad with 21 on the season.
The Musketeers gave up a season-low 20 turnovers.
Morgan Handzel tallied six draw controls to increase her season total to 41. The rookie is on track to break the single-season draw control record of 44.
Teegan Lannon registered a season-high 11 saves.
Jada Brandon also recorded time in goal and picked up three saves.
Both goalkeepers combined for a season-high 47 shots faced and finished the game with a .412 save percentage.